Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1887-10-10
8eliglons department.
Thoughts from the Great Deep,

ships" not merely on account of theil
swift flight, but because of their in
cidents. Life is a voyage sailed by
ship fearfully and wonderfully
made, and not the aimless drifting
of block which is to sink in mid
ocean. The captain has his trans
atlantic port in mind when he starts,
and the course by which he is to
reach it plainly marked out on his
chart, and every young man should
make his plans not merely to reach
some neighbOring port where he is
or pleasure-but make them to over
lap the whole sea, and take in his
port of destination, as president Ed
wards did, when a young man, in
his recorded resolution; to act in
all things not merely as should be
for his interest for the present, but
as should be for his interest 'Eever
| so many ages hence.
\ GU feel a reverence for a steam
er swinging the last bale of her car
90 on board, not because of her
strong and symmetrical build, but
because of the long run she is to
matching her strength against
the strength of an ocean. What
mother, as she has bent over the
cradle of a child has not had all
thoughts Of its beauty and innocence
| merge in the solemn reflection that
the little one is starting out on a
long career; and tried, by the aid
| of Imagination, to follow it out upon
the high sea. Those friends who
gathered on the wharf of Liverpool
some of them with wet faces-and
then followed the steamer out to
the end of the long pier, waving
their silent farewells, but family
represent the heart beating anxiety
with which a mother strains her gaze
to catch sight of her boy when, be-
vOnd the reach of her voice, he is
out on the sea of active life, battling
alone with its rough surges.
Our voyage began with bright
skies and favorable wind, and ali
were full of cheer in hope Of
smooth passage. So life begins.
Childhood is a sunny period-,the
period for receiving stores, laying
ou course and getting on it as long
start as possible, knowing that
storms may yet bring us to a stand
still, or drive us out of our course.
And this a merciful provision. If
| the hard trials Of life came to us in
| our hildhOod-befOre the fires of
the soul were fairly kindled, or its
engine had begun its measured
stroke, they would sink US at the
mouth Of the harbor. But come
they will-perchance when we are
! far out at sea. As the Signal Ser
vice displays its red flag while the
weather is fair, | desire to run up
| the storm signal to warn the young
that their principles will be tried.
After two days we experienced head
winds, our progress became slower,
! complaints broke out as the bulletin
showed daily a shorter and shorter
run the sea grew rougher and at
length began to comb over our decks,
until one night as the passengers lay
in their berths the heavier roll and
the louder creaking of the strong
ship told us that she was agonizing
in q vet fiercer storm. In the morn
ing we came on deck to find one of
our boats stove in, and to be told
by the captain, who with two of his
officers had walked the bridge all
night, that we ought to be thankful
that we were not at the bottom Of
the sea. A cyclone, the most terri
bic he had ever met, had struck US
in the night, and he had only saved
the ship by turning her PROV square
toward the waves and into the teeth
of the storm.
just here lies the difference be-
| tween q successful and unsuccessful
life. Trials, temptations, disasters
come to us all. Some yield to them,
helplessly presenting the side of the
ship to the thunder-strolze Of the
pillows. Others lay their hands
more firmly on the tiller and turn
toward the waves the iron prov of
a resOlute purpose, and so OutrIde
the gale. But something more than
will-power is needed then. Though
we feel isOlated-unable to send
letter or cablegram to any friend, we
could pray The wires that con-
meet the tempest-tossed soul with
the throne of grace no storm ever
| breaks down, and prayer went up
that night to Him who rolls the
ocean in his hollow hand.
At length the wind died away,
but not yet the sea. For other days
it continued to heaye as the sore
hearts heaVe for long years after
some stroke Of sorrow and refuses
to be comforted. Later came the
bridal of sea and sky, and as the
whole ships company were gathered |
on deck watching for land, Long
Island, faint blue strip, became
visible, lights began to CLEAN along
the shore as evening set in, and |
about ten O'Clock the rafting of the
anchor chain and the cessation of |